Overview

Northern Ireland stands out as having enacted historical positive change in abortion law, from an almost complete ban in the 20th century to the decriminalization achieved in 2019. This book documents and analyzes how this historical change was achieved. Each chapter is written by those directly involved in the long-fought battle to change abortion law - including those with personal experience of seeking abortions, activists, academics, legal experts, political actors, NGOs, and volunteers. In this, the first of two volumes, contributions focus on the legislative landscape of the process with particular emphasis on the importance of ‘feminist legal work’ - law-making influenced by the women most likely to be impacted by it.

Full Product Details

Author:   Fiona Bloomer (Ulster University, UK) ,  Emma Campbell (Ulster University, UK)
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 2.50cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.454kg
ISBN:  

9780755642571

ISBN 10:   0755642570
Pages:   256
Publication Date:   03 November 2022
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Contents Acknowledgments List Of Contributors 1. Introduction Emma Campbell And Fiona Bloomer Theme 1 Law 2. Reflections From A Northern Ireland Politician Anna Lo 3. Power-Sharing, Devolution And Patriarchy: An Analysis Of The Role Of The Northern Ireland Assembly In Abortion Law Reform Claire Pierson 4. The Role Of Human Rights Organisations Les Allamby 5. A ‘United’ Kingdom?: The 1967 Abortion Act And Northern Ireland Jennifer Thomson 6. The Request For An Inquiry Under The CEDAW Optional Protocol Judith Cross, Catherine O’Rourke And Audrey Simpson 7. Working Within Westminster Stella Creasy And Cara Sanquest 8. The Supreme Team Susan Mckay 9. Law Reform And Decriminalisation Delivered: Westminster And Strategic Litigation Grainne Teggart And Ruairi Rowan 10. Alliance For Choice As Agents Of Legal Change Máiréad Enright Theme 2 Campaigning And Activism 11. Blazing The Trail-Campaigns: The Earlier Years Lynda Walker 12. Alliance For Choice New Beginnings Kellie O’Dowd And Judith Cross And Fiona Bloomer 13. Reflections From An Activist Maria Amélia Ponte Lourenço 14. In Her Shoes - Abortion Stories Ashleigh Topley 15. What Sort Of State Were We In? Alliance For Choice Tackle Westminster Emma Campbell 16. Alliance For Choice Derry: Delivering Decriminalisation: Activism In The North-West Maeve O’Brien 17. Dismantling The Walls Of Silence Surrounding Abortion In Northern Ireland Ruairi Rowan And Audrey Simpson 18. Alliance For Choice Volunteers Emma Gallen 19. Conclusion Emma Campbell And Fiona Bloomer Appendices Timeline Of Key Events Glossary Bibliography Index

Reviews

These two volumes, Decriminalizing Abortion in Northern Ireland, are a remarkable achievement. Bloomer and Campbell have pulled together the voices of abortion seekers, abortion activists, people working in non-government organisations, policy-makers and academics to document how abortion was decrminialized in Northern Ireland. Given the Northern Ireland political system (devolved legislature; consociationalism), the stories told are complex and deeply personal. Authors cover a vast array of topics, including legal debates, abortion campaigns and struggles, alliances and coalitions, strategic litigation, the confluence of local and international dynamics, personal tragedies and resilience, political acts of betrayal, research, protests, education, silences, volunteerism, myths, misinformation, as well as the role of international solidarity, the Irish diaspora, trade unions, student movements, LGBTQ+ and women's movements, and the courageous actions of various abortion providers. As pointed out by the editors, no one single action can ever deliver social change . These books show, however, how concerted feminist effort can and must win the day. The volumes are a must-read for anybody - whether professionally or personally - interested in ensuring reproductive justice and agency for people with uteri. * Professor Catriona Macleod, Rhodes University, South Africa *

These two volumes, Decriminalizing Abortion in Northern Ireland, are a remarkable achievement. Bloomer and Campbell have pulled together the voices of abortion seekers, abortion activists, people working in non-government organisations, policy-makers and academics to document how abortion was decrminialized in Northern Ireland. Given the Northern Ireland political system (devolved legislature; consociationalism), the stories told are complex and deeply personal. Authors cover a vast array of topics, including legal debates, abortion campaigns and struggles, alliances and coalitions, strategic litigation, the confluence of local and international dynamics, personal tragedies and resilience, political acts of betrayal, research, protests, education, silences, volunteerism, myths, misinformation, as well as the role of international solidarity, the Irish diaspora, trade unions, student movements, LGBTQ+ and women's movements, and the courageous actions of various abortion providers. As pointed out by the editors, no one single action can ever deliver social change . These books show, however, how concerted feminist effort can and must win the day. The volumes are a must-read for anybody - whether professionally or personally - interested in ensuring reproductive justice and agency for people with uteri. * Professor Catriona Macleod, Rhodes University, South Africa * An excellent and inspiring account of the long movement for abortion decriminalisation in Northern Ireland. The editors have pulled together the accounts and analysis of key actors in the campaign in order to provide original and comprehensive coverage of the wide range of activities that made this success possible. This is a timely publication, given recent attacks on abortion rights, that will be invaluable for activists everywhere. * Professor Lesley Hoggart, The Open University, UK *

Author Information

Fiona Bloomer is Senior Lecturer in Social Policy at Ulster University, UK. Emma Campbell is Co-Convenor of Alliance for Choice (AFC) - representing the thousands of people who have had, or need abortions in Northern Ireland - and PhD Candidate at Ulster University, UK.

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